Despite facing setbacks in the past with its Free Basics program, which was axed in India in February following a court verdict, Facebook is keen on connecting people in India through cheap internet services.
As part of this effort, dubbed "Express Wifi by Facebook," the social networking company has teamed up with local internet service providers (ISPs) in the country and is currently testing out the new program.
"With Express Wifi, we're working with carriers, internet service providers and local entrepreneurs to help expand connectivity to underserved locations around the world. We're currently live in India, and are expanding to other regions soon," revealed the company on Internet.org.
The notion behind the program from Facebook is that by offering Indians in rural areas cheap internet, they will be able to become users of the social networking site. As part of the Express Wifi initiative, users will be able to buy data via local internet providers to enable them to access the web.
Facebook is basically offering software that helps local entrepreneurs and ISPs sell, as well as offer internet in rural areas of India. The internet can be accessed through Wi-Fi hotspots that are public and the program is currently being tried out in the country in partnership with a regional state-run telecom.
The tests are in the initial stages and being conducted in 125 rural public Wi-Fi hotspots, according to a report from the Economic Times. With Express Wifi, Facebook is optimistic that it will be instrumental in offering Indians in rural areas an internet connection that is not only dependable, but also speedy and budget-friendly.
"We are testing Express Wifi program in India currently that allows customers to purchase fast, reliable and affordable data packages from their local ISP to access the internet via local hotspots," a spokesperson for Facebook India told the publication.
The Economic Times has also revealed that the social networking company is apparently in talks with local ISPs to work out a commercial launch for its Express Wifi program. The company did not reveal which service providers it is working with, leaving the development of a business model to its partners.
This is the second time Facebook is attempting to connect people in India to the internet. However, unlike its Free Basics initiative, where users can access websites and services without data charges whatsoever, the current program will not be free. Whether users will get unregulated access to the internet is not clear at this juncture.
